Getting Support

There is much help available to you, starting with the BMT social worker who is assigned to your child. The social worker can provide not just referrals to practical services for your family, but is also specially trained to provide you with individual and family emotional support, and to offer guidance on your role as a member of your child’s transplant team.

Outside of hospitals, many families may not be accustomed to working with social workers, whose profession at times may be misunderstood by the general public. Social workers in BMT programs are graduate-level trained professionals who have specialty skills in their field. To learn more about how social workers help BMT patient families, please visit the website of the Assocation of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers .

At this difficult time, some parents also like to join bricks & mortar and/or online support groups of those who have “been there” and/or to seek out spiritual support from their faith community. Both CHRMC and SCCA offer a support groups for BMT patient families, as well as pastoral care programs for all denominations, and referrals to local faith communities.

BMT-Talk
Online discussion list for patients, families, caregivers, and interested others, offering information and support on any and all aspects of BMT. Hosted by the Association of Cancer Online Resources (ACOR) an international, consumer-initiated virtual community of over 150 discussion lists covering all types of cancer and related issues. ACOR also hosts lists specific to certain childhood cancers.

Faith-based organizations

Chai Lifeline- West Coast office
National organization offering social services, and ongoing practical and spiritual support for Jewish children with serious illness and for their families. West Coast office arranges provision of services to CHRMC patient families.

Side-by-Side
Outreach ministry of Seattle’s University Presbyterian Church, serving families whose children are being treated at CHRMC, with practical assistance provided by trained volunteers.